Seventeen months after the Ravens traded the three-time Pro Bowler to the 49ers for a sixth-round pick, the topic was relevant Saturday because Boldin was back with the Niners for the first of three joint practices with the Ravens. After spending three seasons in Baltimore, Boldin hadn’t been in Owings Mills since shortly after he helped lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl win over the 49ers in February 2013.

A month later, the Ravens, squeezed by the salary cap, dealt Boldin after he declined to lower his $6 million annual salary.

“We tried like crazy to keep Anquan,” Harbaugh said. “I think that’s something people don’t realize. We fought like crazy, but we were fighting against a number. And those numbers are sometimes things where they’re not a pliable as you’d like them to be.”

Given the numbers Boldin, 33, put up last year, the 49ers were obviously thrilled with the return on their modest investment. Boldin’s 85 receptions were his most since 2008 and his 1,179 yards represented his highest total since 2006. Without him, the Ravens went 8-8 and missed the playoffs.

On Saturday, Boldin reflected on the moment that preceded his impressive debut season with the 49ers. He was en route to a relief mission in Africa when he was traded.

“I was shocked initially,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting that. It made everyone around uneasy as well because they didn’t know how I would take it. They had been in Africa for probably a coupe hours prior to me (arriving), so they were kind of hesitant to tell me about it. But it’s the business part of football.”

Boldin didn’t sound bitter about the parting, but it was probably painful given the close relationships he forged during his three seasons in Baltimore. On Thursday, before the 49ers’ preseason loss to the Ravens, he sent a message, via Twitter: “Excited to be back in Baltimore and for the opportunity to play in front of the great Ravens fans again tonight.” On Friday, he went with his family to visit their former neighborhood and see friends.

He also retains a close friendship with Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith, an offseason training partner in his native Florida, among other former teammates. Boldin clearly cherished his time in area, but said he’s too focused on the future – mainly winning a second Super Bowl – to dwell on the past.

“It’s done and over with now,” he said. “I’ve had a year under my belt in San Francisco. Just looking forward to hopefully winning a championship in the Bay Area.”

Boldin, who also went to a Super Bowl during the 2008 season with the Cardinals, will pursue that title after signing a two-year, $12 million deal in March. A $6 million annual salary? Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco acknowledged it would have been nice if Baltimore had found a way to pay Boldin that salary a year ago.

“Obviously you feel a little bit upset …because you’re missing out on such a great wide receiver,” Flacco said of his reaction to the trade. “But at the same time you’re happy for him that he’s going to go somewhere, and play and get paid the way he should.”